According to Mark B.
Templeton, president and C.E.O. of Citrix, the Internet software company, there
are two strategies for your life and career—paint-by-the numbers and connect-the-dots.
You remember those coloring books. With
the paint-by-the numbers pages you simply had to color in a picture. But with
the connect-the-dots pages the image was revealed as you colored along.
Here’s how I interpret what Templeton is saying.
Paint-by-the numbers people need to know before
they start a task or project what things are going to look like, where things
are heading. They start or are given the
solution, and then fill in the details to support it. On the other hand, connect-the-dots
people are more comfortable starting out with a blank sheet of paper and trust
that the process will reveal the solution or outcome.
Templeton is quick to point out that there is no
right or wrong way which for the time being is true. However, I think there is
a growing bias in forward-thinking organizations towards people who can work
without knowing the answers. In part because they are perceived as being
creative thinkers/problem-solvers, and because over the next several years smart
machines will replace people in tasks that are more routine/task-oriented and
easily automated. (More on this subject in future postings.)
The point is you need to know which type of person
you are and how you fit within the culture of an organization. You
will be needlessly frustrated to be one way when an employer values the other. Take time to figure this out. Your job search will be more targeted and
successful and you will be more successful in your job.
No comments:
Post a Comment